Golf assistance device and method thereof

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf assistance device and methods of utilizing the same. Embodiments of the present invention more specifically relate to a device for assisting novice golfers to better understand the game of golf, and a method of improving a golfer&#39;s skills by utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a golf assistance device comprises: a unitary housing, a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing at least audio data relating to the game of golf, a portable power supply contained within the unitary housing, a selection means accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing, and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the selection means, the memory means, and an output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/001,762, filed Nov. 5, 2007, entitled “Pocket Pro,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf assistance device and methods of utilizing the same. Embodiments of the present invention more specifically relate to a device for assisting novice golfers to better understand the game of golf, and a method of improving a golfer's skills by utilizing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

As most novice golfers would acknowledge, the game is both frustrating and trying. So many things have to be simultaneously done correctly for a good shot to result. Yet, anyone thing done improperly could alter that shot from being a good one to an errant one. As these golfers would also acknowledge, it is not unusual to observe one “duffer” giving advice to another during the course of a round, such tidbits as “Keep your head down”, “Keep your leading arm straight”, “Hit down on the ball”, “Keep your weight on the Left foot” (or on the Right foot, or Balanced between them)”. Whether such advice is helpful or not is rarely known—and frequently is repeated at the next hole, or again during the next round of play, or whatever.

For at least such reasons, the publishing of Books of instructional golf is quite common with virtually no let-up in sight. Typical of such Books are: “Golf My Way” (Jack Nicklaus); “Five Lessons: the Modern Fundamentals of Golf’ (Ben Hogan); “How To Play Your Best Golf All The Time” (Tommy Armour); “Bobby Jones on Golf’ (Bobby Jones); “On Learning Golf’ (Percy Boomer); and “Harvey Penick's Little Red Book” (Harvey Penick). Similarly, a wide variety of Golf magazines are available—for example: “Golf Week”, “Golf Tips”, Golf Digest”, “The Golfer”, “Golf World”, “Golf Illustrated”, and “Golf Teaching Pro”.

With the advent of the Internet, even more golf instruction becomes available. When surfing the Web, now, golfers can obtain more varied instruction, more directly and more easily. As an example, the golfer can focus on seeking advice simply on hitting the tee shot, using the long irons, using the short irons, using the fairway woods, hitting the chip shot, hitting the pitch shot, putting, and hitting out of the sand. Focusing on the “chip shot” for example, the Internet seeker can find a summarization of three things that if adopted (it is claimed), should never produce a problem: namely, letting the club lift the ball and not trying to “scoop” it up; accelerating the club into impact; and aiming to pitch the ball a yard or two onto the green with its first bounce.

Alternatively, the golfer can learn that the two curses of bad chipping are trying to hit at the ball to lift it, and swinging back too far—followed by a deceleration of the club head in the hopes of not hitting the ball too far. The supposed cure is simply to shorten the back swing and to accelerate the club head in order to achieve clean contact in striking the ground after impact, not before. Or, more detailed information can be offered such as: a.) Address the ball with the feet close together and the ball slightly nearer the back foot than the front; b.) Open the shoulders a little and orient the positioning such that the hands are ahead of the ball; c.) Focus on the swing not on attempting to force the ball skyward; d.) Grip down the handle on shorter shots to help shorten the swing without slowing it down; e.) Keep the weight on the front foot; f.) Swing the club back with the arms and shoulders rather than with the wrists; g.) Swing the club back the same length as it is desired to follow through as would happen if the ball was being rolled underarm; h.) Make sure that the hands arrive in front of the ball at impact; i.) Don't be tempted to look up at the target too soon; and j.) accelerate through the ball, making sure the ball is being attacked. Doing this is said to also impart a little back spin which will make the ball check when it hits the green in giving more control—and eliminating any likelihood of fluffing the ball only a few feet if the shot is quit upon.

As is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill, the novice golfer simply cannot take along on the course all the book, magazine and Internet instruction material as a reminder how to hit the upcoming shot—or to play from a downhill lie, or from a sidehill lie, or from the rough, etc. Equally as obvious is that the golfer cannot just turn to a playing partner out on the course for advice, as he/she is usually on a different side of the fairway, or in the sand, or in the rough, or up ahead, or further behind, or looking for his/her ball, or contemplating his/her own next shot or problem.

Thus, there is a need for a golf assistance device and methods of utilizing the same.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf assistance device and methods of utilizing the same. Embodiments of the present invention more specifically relate to a device for assisting novice golfers to better understand the game of golf, and a method of improving a golfer's skills by utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a golf assistance device comprises: a unitary housing, a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing at least audio data relating to the game of golf, a portable power supply contained within the unitary housing, a selection means accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing, and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the selection means, the memory means, and an output.

In another embodiment, a device for assisting novice golfers to better understand the game of golf, the device comprises: a unitary housing, a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing audio data relating to tips or advice to play the game of golf, a battery source contained within the unitary housing, a plurality of buttons accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing for selecting a desired genre of tips or advice, and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the plurality of buttons, the memory means, and a speaker.

In yet another embodiment, a method of improving a golfer's skills at playing golf comprises: providing a golf assistance device comprising a unitary housing, a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing at least audio data relating to the game of golf, a portable power supply contained within the unitary housing, a selection means accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing, and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the selection means, the memory means, and an output, accessing the positioning and lie of a golfer's golf ball during a round of golf, utilizing the selection means to indicate the assessment of the positioning and lie of the golfer's golf ball, and receiving information from the output, wherein, the information received from the output comprises advice for hitting the golfer's golf ball from its assessed positioning and lie.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the present invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, several of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope of the present invention, and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a golf assistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a golf assistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a golf assistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a golf assistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts a golf assistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf assistance device and methods of utilizing the same. Embodiments of the present invention more specifically relate to a device for assisting novice golfers to better understand the game of golf, and a method of improving a golfer's skills by utilizing the same.

FIG. 1 depicts a golf assistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The golf assistance device 10 has a display face 12 comprised of typically up to 16 buttons each clearly marked for a given situation. In FIG. 1, for example, button 14 may be labeled “Tee Off’, while buttons 16 and 18 may be labeled for a down-hill lie and for a sand trap, respectively. The golf assistance device can be carried in a pocket, or attached to a golf bag or golf cart as by the connection 20. FIG. 4 illustrates the connection being of two separable parts 22, 24, to allow the golf assistance device to be carried in one's pants or golf jacket.

In use, for example, prior to hitting a tee shot, the golfer presses button 14, and a 15 or 20 second voice might give instruction as to what is needed to strike the proper tee shot. Later, pressing button 16 would advance to a second portion of the audio tape for voice instruction as to how to hit the ball if the tee shot results in the ball resting on a down hill lie. After hitting that shot, button 18 might be depressed for instruction as to how to strike the ball out of the sand in which the previous shot caused it to land. Button 26 may then be depressed for putting advice.

Reference numeral 30 in FIG. 1 represents an ON-OFF switch in a 2-column display. Reference numeral 32 shows the ON-OFF switch in the I-column display of FIG. 2. Reference numeral 34 shows the ON-OFF switch in the configuration of FIG. 3—where reference numeral 36 represents a fast-forward and reverse button. Reference numeral 38 in FIG. 3 identifies a read-out window as to the audio message to be played, while reference numeral 40 identifies the device's speaker.

The exact format or design of the golf assistance device could be in any configuration that would appeal to the golfer. Furthermore, besides being used on a course during a round of play, the golf assistance device could be used as a training tool for those learning the game—as at the driving range, on a practice tee, and just about anywhere where the golfer may be practicing. Anyone who wishes to improve their game would find the quick audio reminder helpful—and appropriate sales and marketing of the device could follow from its being endorsed by a top professional golfer or instructor, for example.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. It is understood that various embodiments described herein may be utilized in combination with any other embodiment described, without departing from the scope contained herein. 

1. A golf assistance device comprising: a unitary housing; a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing at least audio data relating to the game of golf; a portable power supply contained within the unitary housing; a selection means accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing; and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the selection means, the memory means, and an output.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the output comprises an audio speaker.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the selection means comprises at least one of a button, switch, or touchscreen device
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of selection means accessible from the outside surface of the unitary housing.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of selection means are representative of a different aspect of the game of golf.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of selection means are representative of at least one of a tee shot, a sand trap shot, fairway shot, rough shot, a downhill/uphill lie shot, a putt, or a chip.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the portable power supply comprises at least one of a battery or a solar-energy cell.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the memory means additionally stores video or text data.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the output comprises a visual display screen.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment means for attaching the golf assistance device to another article or device.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of a clip, buckle, or strap, positioned along the outer surface of the unitary housing.
 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an input device.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the input device comprises a microphone and recording means for storing or modifying audio data within the memory means.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the input device comprises a data port for receiving electronic signals from a data source for updating or modifying data stored on the memory means.
 15. A device for assisting novice golfers to better understand the game of golf, the device comprising: a unitary housing; a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing audio data relating to tips or advice to play the game of golf; a battery source contained within the unitary housing; a plurality of buttons accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing for selecting a desired genre of tips or advice; and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the plurality of buttons, the memory means, and a speaker.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the desired genres of tips or advice comprise at least one of a tee shot, a sand trap shot, fairway shot, rough shot, a downhill/uphill lie shot, a putt, or a chip.
 17. The device of claim 15, further comprising an attachment means for attaching the golf assistance device to another article or device.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of a clip, buckle, or strap, positioned along the outer surface of the unitary housing.
 19. A method of improving a golfer's skills at playing golf comprising: providing a golf assistance device comprising: a unitary housing; a memory means contained within the unitary housing for storing at least audio data relating to the game of golf; a portable power supply contained within the unitary housing; a selection means accessible from an outside surface of the unitary housing; and a processor means for facilitating information transmission between the selection means, the memory means, and an output; assessing the positioning and lie of a golfer's golf ball during a round of golf; utilizing the selection means to indicate the assessment of the positioning and lie of the golfer's golf ball; and receiving information from the output; wherein, the information received from the output comprises advice for hitting the golfer's golf ball from its assessed positioning and lie.
 20. The method of claim 20, wherein the golf assistance further comprises a plurality of selection means accessible from the outside surface of the unitary housing, wherein each of the plurality of selection means are representative of at least one of a tee shot, a sand trap shot, fairway shot, rough shot, a downhill/uphill lie shot, a putt, or a chip. 